Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-04-03
WOMEN IN RUSSIA.
A Picture of Russian Society in the
Time OF Ivan the Terrible.


From the PAtiddezphta Press.
In Mr.. Nathan Haskell DGle's recent
lecture on the ''Rise of Russian Litera-
ture," ne spoke OF tbs "Domostroi, or
Book OF Domestic Management" written
by the pope sylvester for the edificatlon
Of his only son. Anphim, and mis- daughter
in-law Pelagia.
1t was composed early in the sixteenth
century, during the reign OF Ivan the Ter
rible, and throws a curious light OH Rus
sian society ct that time.
For many years 1t was the universal
''yade mecum" of household duties. 1t
may interest some of the women of Phila-
delphia who did not hear Mr.. Dole's leo
ture to see what the old priest laid down
as law for the treatment and behavior
OF their slsterB three centuries and q half
ago. MIR. Dole's translation was as fol-
lows:
She must 60 to church as often as pos
slble aud consult with ner husband. Hus-
bands must teach their wives with love
and reasonable punishment. IL the wife
live not according to her husbands teach
ing then the husband must punish her
alone by themselves, and alter lie has
punished her ne must forgive her and
give further advice; but they must not be
angry with one another.
servents and children must be punished
according TO their guilt, end wounds
must be inflicted, but after the punish
ment forgive the SIN. But the mistress Of
the house must look after the servants as
TO what is filling for the same. But when
it is necessary TO reprehend your wife,
your son or your daughter or to punish
them by laying on the whip. punish them
not before people, but alone. Strike them
al a. d. q L. 4. a
with the list, nor kick them or strike them
with the stat, either OF iron or OF wood.
But II the sin be great, then, stripping of
The garment, apply a little whip dis
creetIy, holding the hands. Wives must
ask their husbands about all holy
teaching, and be subject TO them In all
things.
Every day the husband and wife should
question each other AID take COUNSEL
about the whole conduct OF the house.
she must have acquaIutane only with
those whom her husband commands, she
may converse With guests about her handl-
werk aud about household management,
aud listen when she sees that ft - good.
What she does not know she may ask
m0destiy. Whatever any one com nand 8
she must "seat the forehead" hum
bly,, and when she goes forth srom the
house she must sell all thugs to Asr nus
band.
She may meet socially with COED women
not for eating and drinking, but for good
conversation and knowledge; she must
take care OF her appearance and not IN
6ulge in laughter and not gossip; II any
one asks her about anything she must re-
ply;
III know not; l have heard nothing
about IL, and as for me. l ask not about
unne cassary things and / do not talk
about princes and boyars and my neigh
boTs.n In nOwiso Indulge IN drunken
ness; woman may drink beer, kVas,
both at home and abroad, but she musL
not eat and drink seorstly away from her
husband; the wise woman does not enter
tain the stranger without her husband .
presence. In regard 10 all things consult
with the husband aud not with the slave
and not with the serf.